Take Israel Off Travel Warnings List

The U.S. State Department should stop telling Americans to defer travel to Israel.

Over the past few years American students have encountered resistance from their university administrations over one destination in particular: Israel.

Across the country at hundreds of universities, college students are embarking on international study abroad opportunities. They are experiencing new cultures, practicing their foreign languages, trying new foods and broadening their horizons.

Over the past few years, however, American students have encountered resistance from their university administrations over one destination in particular: Israel. Many students, including those at Yale, must take a leave of absence to study aboard in Israel. In these cases, students cannot not receive academic credit for or apply scholarships to study in Israel. Some are even told their scholarships will not be available for them upon their return.

University administration's objections have one common factor: the U.S. Department of State travel warnings. The State Department has travel warnings for 26 countries. The list includes violence hot spots like Haiti, Sudan, Iraq, Afghanistan, Congo, Colombia, Libya, Bosnia, Iran, Lebanon, Algeria and Zimbabwe. Notably absent from this list are sites of recent terrorist activity in the past year, like Greece, Egypt and Spain.

This categorization of Israel has severely damaged Israel's already weak economy. Before the violence broke out in late 2000, Israel averaged more than 2 million tourists per year (the equivalent, percentage-wise, of almost 100 million people visiting the United States every year). Israeli tourism peaked with 2,416,800 people in 2000. That year, Israel took in $3 billion from tourism. To put this in perspective, Israel receives about $4 billion in foreign aid from the United States. In addition, Israel's tourism comprises almost 3 percent of Israel's economy (all of the agriculture in the United States is only 1.5 percent of its economy).

In 2001, tourism fell more than 50 percent, and in 2002 fell to 35 percent of its 2000 level. Tourism is picking up slowly, and in 2005 Israel is expecting almost 1.5 million visitors, the largest number since 2000. However, this is still only 60 percent of its pre-2000 level.

Every year, Americans (and not just students) of different religions and ethnic and political backgrounds want to travel to Israel but often do not because of fear of terrorist attacks. Without diminishing the horror and brutality of terrorism, it is important to look at comparative statistics about how many people die in terrorist attacks each year in relation to more everyday fatalities for Americans.

From 2001 to 2003, the number of people killed in Israel in traffic accidents (1,607) was almost double the number of people killed in terrorist attacks (870). Furthermore, the per capita number of traffic fatalities (1 in 12,000) is less than half of the number in the United States (1 in 5,000). The State Department does not appear to be advising Americans to not ride in cars.

In addition, the fence the Israeli army built between Israel and the Gaza Strip has virtually eliminated terrorist attacks coming from the Gaza Strip. The unfinished fence between Israel and the West Bank has already reduced terrorist attacks within Israel by 90 percent. Other ramifications of the fence notwithstanding, once it is completed, it will virtually eliminate terrorist attacks within Israel.

Regardless of statistics, Americans will still fear terrorism in Israel. However, terrorism can occur anywhere -- in Spain, Greece, Japan, Ireland or even right here at home. Just three weeks after Sept. 11, 2001, then New York City Mayor Rudy Guiliani said to the United Nations General Assembly: "We can't let terrorists change the way we live -- otherwise they will have succeeded... We need to reassert our right to live free from fear with greater confidence and determination than ever before... With one clear voice, unanimously, we need to say that we will not give in to terrorism."

The time has come to move the safer part of Israel (excluding the West Bank and Gaza Strip) off the travel warning list. The United States should continue to advise its citizens of the risk of traveling to Israel, as it does for every country from Egypt to France. However, it should stop telling Americans to defer travel to Israel.

Israel is America's strongest ally in the world today, and there is no better way to show this bond of friendship than by removing barriers for economic and travel cooperation between the two countries.

For too long, the State Department has allowed terrorism to change our lives. Removing the State Department's travel warning for Israel would allow students to study abroad there and would continue to strengthen America's ties with Israel.

The opinions expressed in the comment section are the personal views of the commenters. Comments are moderated, so please keep it civil.

Visitor Comments: 15

(15)
Aimee,
February 1, 2006 12:00 AM

Be smart not restricted

I have travled to and through Israel and the West Bank several times since the most recent eruptions of violence in 2000. Yes, I am an American citizen and yes, it is true that there is animosity toward my country. However, I never felt in danger. You just have to be wise. Avoid large public gatherings or rallies, especially if they look like a funeral. Aviod Palestinian cities centers after Friday prayers. Don't try to stand out or wear your political affiliations on your sleeve. Why miss out on a great experience when there is no real threat to those who use basic street smarts.

(14)
pam,
September 10, 2005 12:00 AM

Good article -- very informative.

Thanks for this information -- I agree with all of the points you've made.

(13)
Anonymous,
May 6, 2005 12:00 AM

Israel isn't the only one. And the U.S.A. government isn't the only one.

'Travel warnings' is one of the terror attacks themself.

Victims of recents criminal activies (are they still called criminal activies) currently refered to as 'terror attacks' are always relatively very low in number in comparison of the overall 'normal' criminal activies, but is that somehow these 'terrror attacks' is more important than others that make 'travel advisory' into a travel ban?

These indicate something, there're two possibilities, stupidity, or... the intentional intention to malign. I vote for the later. Other so called reasons are 'political instability', 'high crime', and so on.

I suggest for people from countries or areas that are listed as 'hazardous' and so on to become friends with each other and realized that somewhere out there, there are people who out to defame their areas.

Anyway. This article seems

First of all, it listed some areas as 'violence hot spots', but not considered that in the mind of some people Israel is considered as a 'violence hot spot' (it's not true of course, but hey, if they lie about Israel being not a safe place to vist, don't you think that they could also be lying about other places?).

The article also asked the U.S.A. to advise its citizens of the risk of traveling to Israel, but not advise to defer travel to Israel. What if the advisory is something that could 'terrorize' would be travelers? There wouldn't be the need to advise to defer travel at all, since the would be travelers would be already terrorize by the travel warnings.

Maybe the article instead of asked the U.S.A. government to advise its citizens about the risk of any country at all, it should have asked the U.S.A. government to advise a general (all purpose for all areas) its citizens on how to travel outside the country, instead of focusing in any particular country at all.

(12)
Merlock,
February 20, 2005 12:00 AM

On Israeli travel...

I don't really understand how this "Do Not Travel" list works, but in my humble opinion, the State Department should continue to warn people of Israel's riskiness, but at the same time not impede economically travel there is a person decides to take that risk; and schools should not punish students for wanting to improve their cultural/spiritual lives, but again, everyone should be warned before they board their planes. In my humble opinion.

(11)
pesach aceman,
February 7, 2005 12:00 AM

put Chicago New York on travel warning

I would like to suggest that you leave the terms 'west bank and gaza' off of your concerns as they are properly named Yehuda, Shomron and Gush Katif. They are no more dangerous than your cities of New York and Chicago and it further segregates Jewish cities towns and yishuvim as though they are not part of Israel thereby fulfilling your presidents dream of a divided Israel with its enemies at its doors. America Canada or any other nation would never tolerate what we tolerate here BUT IT MUST END. Therefore I ask you to recognize Israel as Israel and not divide it up like our enemies and the Americans want it to be for.....OIL!
Come visit like most of the commentators have said it may grow on you and spark off that light of self awareness that we are all ONE PEOPLE

(10)
Jason Turner,
February 4, 2005 12:00 AM

so...........

who can we write in the government to let them know how we feel. Make a petition. Let our voices be heard. The article is just whining without an avenue to change it. Thanks

(9)
Sue Moseley,
February 3, 2005 12:00 AM

Why would anyone want to go to a country where they can be shot, blown up, kidnapped, rapped, beat up, called ugly names?
Why would anyone come to America?
I have been to Israel and when the money comes again I will go again.
All I can say is, with each day I am one day closer to FOREVER!

(8)
shoshana albert,
February 3, 2005 12:00 AM

Is there a mailing campaign underway?

Is there some kind of mailing campaign (email perhaps or petition) that has been started to encourage the State Department to make a change?
That is usually effective. Please, let me know. Thanks!

(7)
Teresita Reyes,
January 31, 2005 12:00 AM

I love Israel , when I am in trouble I send a prayer note to the wall

I love this Aish .com
It helps me a lot in my daily life
God hear my prayer always.

(6)
judy dotson,
January 31, 2005 12:00 AM

I love her.

I would go if I had the money.
I would live there if they would let me.

(5)
Marie Barakey,
January 31, 2005 12:00 AM

Israel is safe.

I traveled to Israed in June 2003,and felt safer than in most downtown USA cities. We traveled by ourselves all over Israel from the Golan Heights to the Dead Sea,without any difficulty. Everyone was very polite and helpful.It was the best trip of my life. I enjoyed everything from the food to historical sites.

(4)
Anonymous,
January 31, 2005 12:00 AM

Visiting Israel

I went to Israel once, several years ago. It was just after the no. 18 bus was blown up near a Jerusalem market. My daughter begged me not to go. I went. There weren't any incidents when I was there and it was quite a well taken care of country. I even travelled on a no. 18 bus (perhaps that's why there were plenty of seats.)
I'm not Jewish but I'd love to go again.
However, it's the kind of trip most people can only afford once in a lifetime.

(3)
Anonymous,
January 30, 2005 12:00 AM

change the travel advisory

How can we organize a campaign to pressure the goverment to change this travel advisory?

(2)
Shimon M,
January 30, 2005 12:00 AM

What about diaspora Jews?!?!?!?!

It is a sad fact putting Israel on the list of countries not to be visited by Americans but what about us, the Jews in diaspora? How many Jews go to Italy, Spain, Greece and other countries but not to Israel which is only four hours of a plane ride from Spain? The diaspora Jews are the most guilty of it, they do not wish to visit Israel in time of need, they pick some other spot instead. I understand the none Jews not wanting to visit Israel but I will never understand Jews for doing it. It's as if they didn't care about what is going on in Israel. I know it's not the safest place to visit but wouldn't a Jews rush to help his/her mother being in some critical situation? I blame those Jews for not being with Israel when it needs us the most. Wards are not enough, we need action, there are enough of us to make a change. I went to Israel for high holidays, I wasn't 100% safe but I was more than glad to do it and I was sad getting on the plane coming back. I KNOW I WILL BE BACK AGAIN AND AGAIN UNTIL ONE I WILL JUST MAKE ALIYAH. Where else in this world a Jew can really feel like a Jew? where else we can feel as if we were among our own?

(1)
helene schilian,
January 30, 2005 12:00 AM

Israel is better than ever!

My son is currently on Young Judaea's Year Course in Israel. He has spent time studying at Hebrew University in Jerusalem, and is now doing volunteer work in Tiberias.
My husband, daughter and I spent two amazing weeks visiting him over the winter break. We spent time in Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, and then travelled north to Rosh Pina. The country is gorgeous, there is a new international airport that rivals any in the U.S., the restaurants and shopping malls were full of people, and I felt safer strolling the beach in Tel Aviv at midnight than I would here in Florida!

I've been striving to get more into spirituality. But it seems that every time I make some progress, I find myself slipping right back to where I started. I'm getting discouraged and feel like a failure. Can you help?

The Aish Rabbi Replies:

Spiritual slumps are a natural part of spiritual growth. There is a cycle that people go through when at times they feel closer to God and at times more distant. In the words of the Kabbalists, it is "two steps forward and one step back." So although you feel you are slipping, know that this is a natural process. The main thing is to look at your overall progress (over months or years) and be able to see how far you've come!

This is actually God's ingenious way of motivating us further. The sages compare this to teaching a baby how to walk. When the parent is holding on, the baby shrieks with delight and is under the illusion that he knows how to walk. Yet suddenly, when the parent lets go, the child panics, wobbles and may even fall.

At such times when we feel spiritually "down," that is often because God is letting go, giving us the great gift of independence. In some ways, these are the times when we can actually grow the most. For if we can move ourselves just a little bit forward, we truly acquire a level of sanctity that is ours forever.

Here is a practical tool to help pull you out of the doldrums. The Sefer HaChinuch speaks about a great principle in spiritual growth: "The external awakens the internal." This means that although we may not experience immediate feelings of closeness to God, eventually, by continuing to conduct ourselves in such a manner, this physical behavior will have an impact on our spiritual selves and will help us succeed. (A similar idea is discussed by psychologists who say: "Smile and you will feel happy.")

That is the power of Torah commandments. Even if we may not feel like giving charity or praying at this particular moment, by having a "mitzvah" obligation to do so, we are in a framework to become inspired. At that point we can infuse that act of charity or prayer with all the meaning and lift it can provide. But if we'd wait until being inspired, we might be waiting a very long time.

May the Almighty bless you with the clarity to see your progress, and may you do so with joy.

In 1940, a boatload 1,600 Jewish immigrants fleeing Hitler's ovens was denied entry into the port of Haifa; the British deported them to the island of Mauritius. At the time, the British had acceded to Arab demands and restricted Jewish immigration into Palestine. The urgent plight of European Jewry generated an "illegal" immigration movement, but the British were vigilant in denying entry. Some ships, such as the Struma, sunk and their hundreds of passengers killed.

If you seize too much, you are left with nothing. If you take less, you may retain it (Rosh Hashanah 4b).

Sometimes our appetites are insatiable; more accurately, we act as though they were insatiable. The Midrash states that a person may never be satisfied. "If he has one hundred, he wants two hundred. If he gets two hundred, he wants four hundred" (Koheles Rabbah 1:34). How often have we seen people whose insatiable desire for material wealth resulted in their losing everything, much like the gambler whose constant urge to win results in total loss.

People's bodies are finite, and their actual needs are limited. The endless pursuit for more wealth than they can use is nothing more than an elusive belief that they can live forever (Psalms 49:10).

The one part of us which is indeed infinite is our neshamah (soul), which, being of Divine origin, can crave and achieve infinity and eternity, and such craving is characteristic of spiritual growth.

How strange that we tend to give the body much more than it can possibly handle, and the neshamah so much less than it needs!